News

Universal Music Group becomes the permanent home of Frank Zappa estate

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced an agreement between Moon, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Zappa (the Zappa Trust) to acquire Frank Zappa’s estate, including his expansive recordings, publishing catalog of iconic songs, film archive, and the complete contents of The Vault, the near mythic storage facility that houses the late Zappa’s life’s work. The content spans the prolific four-decade career of the legendary, boundary-pushing musician, acclaimed composer, virtuoso guitarist, and prominent activist.

With the acquisition, which additionally includes Frank Zappa’s name and likeness, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), UMG’s global catalog company, and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the company’s leading music publisher, will build on the company’s already successful track record of working with the Zappa Trust to amplify Frank Zappa’s career as a trailblazer, iconoclast, brilliant musician and fearless artist who challenged music and culture with his unconventional and uncompromising vision and advocacy.

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Universal Music Publishing Group named Publisher of the Year, UMPG writers honored at 70th BMI Pop Awards

At the 70th annual BMI Pop Awards held on May 10th in Beverly Hills, UMPG was thrilled to be named Publisher of the Year. UMPG also won Song of the Year for “Mood” written by UMPG writers Omer Fedi, Blake Slatkin and Iann Dior. Additionally, Omer Fedi also won Songwriter of the Year, having UMPG sweep the night’s three biggest categories.

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Universal Music Publishing Groups names Cristina Chavez as Vice President, A&R

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global music publishing division, today announced that music executive Cristina Chavez has joined the company in the role of Vice President, A&R, effective immediately. Based in Santa Monica, Chavez reports to David Gray, Executive Vice President and Head of US A&R at UMPG.

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The Weeknd expands global partnership with Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced an expansive, long-term partnership with global music icon The Weeknd, one of the most commercially successful and critically-acclaimed recording artists and songwriters of the last decade. The agreement further builds upon the relationship between Abel Tesfaye p/k/a The Weeknd, and UMG’s Republic Records, which has been his label home and partner since 2012 and will remain his label partner for future recorded music releases.

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Jane Carter named President of Universal Production Music

Universal Production Music, the world’s leading production music company, today announced that Jane Carter has been appointed President, effective immediately. She will continue to be based in London and will report to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, parent company to Universal Production Music.

In her new role, Carter will oversee the entirety of Universal Production Music and its entities worldwide, leading the company’s innovation and production music growth strategy across the rapidly evolving content creation business. Through the promotion, Carter becomes the first woman to lead global production at a major music publishing company. Previously, Carter served as Managing Director in the U.K. for Universal Production Music where she led production music growth strategy, broadcast partnerships and client relations.

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Universal Music Publishing Group, Authentic Brands Group enter an exclusive, global publishing agreement to represent Elvis Presley’s catalog

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a leading, global music publisher, and Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company and owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, today announced an exclusive global publishing deal to represent the historic song catalog of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Elvis Presley.

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The Juan Gabriel Estate signs worldwide deal with Virgin Music US Latin & extends exclusive, global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group

The estate of legendary Mexican recording superstar & prolific songwriter Juan Gabriel has signed an exclusive, worldwide agreement with Virgin Music US Latin and extended its agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global music publishing division. Under the new deal, Virgin Music US Latin will now represent Juan Gabriel’s post-2008 catalog and future recordings and UMPG will represent his entire iconic catalog through an extended, exclusive global publishing agreement, uniting Juan Gabriel’s music under the Universal Music roof.

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Universal Music Publishing Group, Audio Up enter strategic alliance focused on signing songwriters to create music for scripted podcast programs

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a leading, global music publisher, today announced a strategic alliance with Audio Up, an audio content production studio known for its narrative-driven podcasts. The agreement will focus on signing songwriters to create unique music for Audio Up’s original podcast programs. Additionally, UMPG signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with “Jingle Jared” Gutstadt, a skilled production and contemporary music songwriter/producer and CEO of Audio Up.

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